Water shortages looming unless preventative measures taken

There will be a water shortage in 2015 unless steps are undertaken to curb the use of water and prevent water wastage for the next 1-2 years.

A media briefing at the Kouga municpality in Jeffreys bay this morning was told the Kouga region is facing a water shortage again and consumers have been urged to reduce water consumption by at least 10%.

The media briefing aimed to raise awareness of this looming water shortage and the role each resident can play to help delay the introduction of water restrictions.

Questions and answers raised:

Q.Why are we in this situation again only two years after the last drought ended whilst the average dam levels are above 80%?

The Department of Water Affairs carries out annual modelling of the water resources of the region. The model predicts that by 2015 NMBM and Kouga will be in a water shortage crisis and that we need to start curbing consumption immediately.

The table below shows the combined capacity of the storage dams (graphs courtesy of NMBM).

The critical level of 60% marked the start of the previous drought in 2009. The dams filled up after the good rainfall in May, June and July 2011. Since then the levels dropped constantly for a period of 10 months (point A). Good rainfall during July 2012 prevented a similar downwards trend towards the critical level of 60%. (Line AB)

Dam levels, as measured on 16 September 2013, were:

Kouga : 93,2% l

Churchill : 73,2%

Impofu: 84,6%

Loerie: 33,0%

Groendal: 92,3%

Average: 86,8 %

The volume of water stored in our dams will be depleted within 18 months if the current consumption patterns persist and no significant inflow into the dams occur over this period.

The table below compares the actual rainfall figures with the average rainfall figures over the past 20 years.

Q. What is Kouga doing to address the looming water shortage?

Kouga Municipality maintains close contact with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) and will implement water-saving measures, including possible water restrictions, in line with their recommendations.

Various projects have been identified by DWA to expand the water supply to the region. These include treating waste water, dune filtration systems, boreholes, sea water desalination and increasing the capacity of the Kouga Dam.

Kouga Municipality is further focusing on water conservation. The municipality has embarked on an aggressive leak detection programme to reduce water losses. R1-million has already been secured from the Department of Water Affairs towards this programme.

Studies have been conducted and plans drawn up to tap into more of Kouga’s ground water supply, however, the implementation of the plans will require exploratory drilling on private land and a significant capital layout. Consequently, the plans form part of the municipality’s long-term vision to increase its water supply and are not an immediate, short-term solution.

When will water restrictions be introduced?

Below is an outline of the steps that are typically taken depending on the dam levels:

60% – Public participation programmes

50% – Water restrictions for gardens

45% – Increased tariffs

35% – Quotas are enforced

Q. What can residents do to help address the looming water shortage?

The municipality and the Department of Water calls on the citizens of Kouga, in the spirit of Ubuntu, to hold hands and ask that everyone conserves water and use it efficiently.

Residents are encouraged to cut their water usage by at least 10% and to help spread the message.